This article highlights five myths about treatment for OUD, provides context regarding current guidance, and offers suggestions for how managed care organizations (MCOs) can support care for patients with addiction through a chronic health model.
Orthopedic surgery can be performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), as well as in traditional inpatient venues. Patients who undergo orthopedic surgery may be prescribed opioids for the management of postsurgical pain. However, the association between surgery venue, postsurgical opioid use, and health care costs remains unclear.
Legislative and Regulatory Position: The Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) supports regulatory and legislative provisions relating to opioid management that ensure appropriate patient access and treatment of uncontrolled pain, while limiting abuse and diversion of opioids and opioid potentiators. .
An analysis published in JMCP found that patients in the North Carolina Medicaid program continued to receive opioids and benzodiazepines concurrently despite known risks. Read the results and recommendations that may benefit this and other Medicaid populations.
A retrospective claims analysis in JMCP found that patients who received an outpatient opioid prescription following surgery had significantly increased health care utilization and costs for the following year.
A retrospective claims analysis in JMCP found that patients who received an outpatient opioid prescription following surgery had significantly increased health care utilization and costs for the following year.